WinMerge
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Windows
Summary
WinMerge is a free, open-source Windows tool for comparing and merging files and folders. File comparisons use side-by-side panes, inline difference highlights, syntax highlighting, a difference pane and moved-line detection. Folder comparisons can be recursive or single-level, apply regular-expression filters, account for binary files and compare three versions. For visual material, it can show image differences as blocks or overlays, and it displays CSV and TSV files in table form. WinMerge can create Normal, Context and Unified patches and resolve conflict files made by other tools. It also offers Windows Explorer integration, 7-Zip archive browsing and plugins, and can work as an external diff tool alongside version-control tools. The project is licensed under GPLv2, developed by volunteers and supplies source archives with stable releases. It targets Windows: current 32-bit builds require Windows XP SP3 or newer, while 64-bit builds require Windows 7 or newer. The free plan is 0.00 USD per free; there is no free trial.
Who it is for
WinMerge suits Windows developers comparing branches, administrators syncing configuration folders and power users comparing files, tables or images. It is for people who need file and folder comparison or merge tools without a paid plan.
What is good
- Free, open-source tool for Windows
- Supports three-way folder comparison
- Displays CSV and TSV files as tables
- Creates several patch formats and resolves conflicts
- Offers Windows Explorer integration and plugins
What to know first
- Official support targets Windows only
- 64-bit builds require Windows 7 or newer
- No free trial
Verdict
WinMerge brings file, folder, image and table comparison together in a free Windows application, with patch creation and conflict resolution included. Its listed platform is Windows, so it is not an official cross-platform option.
WinMerge plans and pricing
All plansCompared on file comparison software
- Free plan
- Yeswinmerge.io
- Three-way merge
- Yeswinmerge.io
- Folder comparison
- Yeswinmerge.io
- Merge conflict tools
- Yeswinmerge.io
- Binary comparison
- Yeswinmerge.io
- Supported platforms
- Windowswinmerge.io
- Version-control support
- Yeswinmerge.io
Facts
- Purpose
- WinMerge is a free, open-source tool for visually comparing and merging files and folders on Windows.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- File comparison
- File comparison includes side-by-side panes, inline difference highlights, syntax highlighting, a difference pane, and moved-line detection.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Image and table comparison
- Image comparison provides block highlights and overlay mode, while table comparison displays CSV and TSV files in table format.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Patches and conflicts
- WinMerge creates Normal, Context, and Unified patches and can resolve conflict files produced by other tools.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- WinMerge offers 64-bit Windows Explorer shell integration, 7-Zip archive browsing, plugins, and use as an external diff tool alongside version control tools.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes workflows for developers comparing branches, administrators syncing configuration folders, and power users comparing files, tables, and images.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Windows requirements
- Current 32-bit builds require Windows XP SP3 or newer, and 64-bit builds require Windows 7 or newer.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Other operating systems
- The FAQ says official WinMerge targets Windows and that there are currently no plans for official cross-platform support in the main project line.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Security and integrity
- Official release packages publish SHA-256 checksums, and the site recommends comparing a downloaded package's hash with its published digest before running it.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Source transparency
- WinMerge is licensed under GPLv2, developed by volunteers, and provides a full source archive with each stable release.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The site provides FAQ, step-by-step guides, and antivirus troubleshooting guidance.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Warranty
- The software is provided as-is under GPLv2 without warranty of any kind, to the extent permitted by applicable law.winmerge.io · 30 Sept 2026
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Sources
- winmerge.io· checked 30 Sept 2026
- winmerge.io/features.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
- winmerge.io/download.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
- winmerge.io/faq.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
- winmerge.io/trust-security.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
- winmerge.io/guides.html· checked 30 Sept 2026